Janne Korpi is a member of the Finnish force who have a strong presence on the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour.  Janne was a gifted sports child, nearly following in his family footsteps of horseracing before stepping up in the world of Swatch TTR Snowboarding.  In 2005/06 Janne burst onto the scene with a 1st place finish in the 5Star Nescafé Snowboard Championships in Leysin and a podium place in the Slopestyle  at the 2006 Burton European Open in Laax .  These results combined with other consistent performance helped him earn a 7th place finish at the conclusion of the season, ready to bring it on in 07/08.  With a new sponsor in O’Neill, his season began well in 07/08 when he finished third at the 6Star O’Neill Evolution Slopestyle.  He then went on to post a number of top 5 finishes before earning himself a victory at the 5Star Chevrolet Grand Prix in Killington, Vermont.  Overall his consistent performances helped him finish in Swatch TTR World No.8 and when the season 08/09 kicked off down South he was ready to up the ante.

In season 08/09, Janne was rapidly catching up to Swatch TTR World No.1, Chas Guldemond, thanks to some good and consistent results from Southern Hemisphere season, however, disaster struck when he got injured during the 6Star O’Neill Evolution Quarterpipe competition.  The night before, Janne had been dominating the Slopestyle course, impressing the crowd with effortless style and lofty airs.  He walked away with his third major TTR Slopestyle victory that night and was on track to also secure victory in next night’s Quarterpipe.  Unfortunately, Janne’s injury will rule him out for the next few months, but don’t forget about Janne.  You know he’ll be back sooner than you expect, eager to make up for lost time and leave his name etched in the Swatch TTR record books.

Interview from 2008

You finished 7th in the TTR World Tour ranking last season and are the current TTR Number 4. This was one of the reasons you could sign new sponsor deals as well. How important is the TTR for you?

It's really  important  because TTR is way more respected than FIS and  sponsors put it on the top, so if I couldn't  do good results in TTR last year I think I would not get so good sponsors neither. TTR is also much better for the riders, because TTR puts riders in the first place. So in a nut shell TTR is made for snowboarders and not the other way around. There is also good partys and you can easily find lifetime lasting friends from TTR.

You ride for KISSMARK a Japanese snowboard brand. How is it to ride for a brand from a country with a different mindset and how do you fit in the Team as a European rider?

It is really funny!! I love working with japanese people. They are so peaceful, frendly and really co- operative. They listen very carefully if I have some ideas to change or improve their products.

There is only two riders now in the Kissmark so it´s easy to fit in especially because the Kissmark technicians and other staff people have accepted me kindly to their team.

Who are your hardest contenders for the Tour title this year?

There are lot of good riders so its hard to pick few riders up.

Which TTR event do you like the most and why?

This year O'neill Evolution has been best. Everything worked out  very good and I was able to ride so much half-pipe and querter-pipe that the event didn´t even feel as a competition.  There was also sick partys and best Kebabs!!!!

You have been riding both TTR and FIS events consistently in the past. How would you describe the difference for you as a rider?

I think what I answered to your first question also fits as an answer to this question. Some Fis events are also high leveled. I still like to also maintain my spot in the Finnish team.

How do you feel the night before an important event and how do you prepare yourself (any rituals, etc…)?

Nothing special, just relaxing and thinking what to do on the next days of competition.

What was the first contest you won?

I don´t remember propably some Finnish cup event. Way back in the days.

How do you see your snowboarding progressing over the next few years?

Style will play bigger part because there is so many riders who are pulling same technical tricks.

Which was the funniest experience you ever had in a foreign country?

I can´t think of any moments I could share with you in this interview.

You plan to shoot with Storbis this winter – how important is a movie part for you and how does this fit into your contest schedule?

Of course movie parts are really important. This season I will try to get a good part for the movie but at this point of my career competitions are important for me. At some point I wish I can focus filming for the whole season and not to do that many competitions during that season.

How has the snowboarding scene (in Finland) changed since you started?

Not so much. level of riding has become bigger and better. More people have also started to snowboard and because of this snowboarding has become more like business.

When you’re not in the snow, we can find you…? Behind the horse. hahaha

Who is currently the most stylish rider in your eyes? Eero Niemelä